Day 92 of My 4th Bible Study Journey - 1 April 2024 reflections
Day 92, 1 April 2024
1) Judges 8, Judges 9
JUDGES 8
Zebah and Zalmunna
1 (2Sa 19:41) Then the men of Ephraim said to him,
"What have you done to us by not calling us to go
and wage war against Midian?" They argued heatedly with him.
2 He said to them, "What have I done now compared to you?
Are not the gleanings of the grapes of Ephraim better
than the harvest of Abiezer?
3 (Pr 15:1; Jdg 7:24-25) It was into your hands that God gave t
he Midianite commanders, Oreb and Zeeb. What was I able to do compared
to you?" When Gideon said this, their anger against him cooled down.
4 Then Gideon came to the Jordan and crossed over,
he and the three hundred men who were with him, exhausted but still pursuing.
5 (Ge 33:17; Ps 60:6) He said to the men of Sukkoth, "Please give some
loaves of bread to the people who are following me, for they are exhausted,
and I am pursuing Zebah and Zalmunna, kings of Midian."
6 (1Ki 20:11) The officials of Sukkoth said, "Are the hands of Zebah
and Zalmunna already in your hands that we should give bread to your army?"
7 So Gideon said, "Because of this, when the Lord gives Zebah and Zalmunna
into my hands, I will tear your bodies with desert thorns and briers."
8 (Ge 32:30-31; 1Ki 12:25) He went up from there to Peniel
and spoke to them in the same way. The men of Peniel answered him
just as the men of Sukkoth had.
9 (Jdg 8:17; 1Ki 22:27-28) So he also said to the men of Peniel,
"When I return safely, I will tear down this tower."
10 (Jdg 7:12; 20:2) Now Zebah and Zalmunna were in Karkor with their armies,
about 15000 survivors; they were all who were left of all the army
of the Kedemites, for 120000 arms-bearing men had fallen.
11 (Nu 32:35; 32:42) Gideon went up on the route of the tent dwellers
east of Nobah and Jogbehah and attacked the camp while the army
was off guard.
12 (Ps 83:11) Zebah and Zalmunna fled, and Gideon chased after them.
He captured Zebah and Zalmunna, the two kings of Midian,
and the entire army was terrified.
13 Gideon son of Joash returned from battle by the Pass of Heres.
14 He captured a young man from among the men of Sukkoth
and asked him to write the names of the leaders and elders of Sukkoth, 77 men.
15 Then he came to the men of Sukkoth and said, "Here are Zebah and Zalmunna,
about whom you taunted me. You said, 'Have you subjugated
Zebah and Zalmunna that we should give bread to your weary army?' "
16 (Jdg 8:7) He took the city elders and disciplined the men of Sukkoth
with thorns and briers of the wilderness.
17 (Jdg 8:9; 1Ki 12:25) He tore down the tower of Peniel
and killed the men of the city.
18 (Jdg 4:6) Then he said to Zebah and Zalmunna,
"What kind of men did you kill at Tabor?"
They said, "They were like you. Each one looked like the son of a king."
19 He said, "They were my brothers, the sons of my mother.
As the Lord lives, if you had allowed them to live, I would not kill you."
20 Gideon said to his firstborn Jether, "Rise and kill them!"
Yet the young man did not draw his sword because he was afraid,
for he was still a young man.
21 (Jdg 8:26; Ps 83:11) Then Zebah and Zalmunna said,
"You get up and attack us, for a man is judged by his strength."
So Gideon got up and killed Zebah and Zalmunna
and took the crescent-shaped ornaments that were on the necks of their camels.
Judges 8
[1] And the men of Ephraim said unto him, Why hast thou served us thus, that
thou calledst us not, when thou wentest to fight with the Midianites? And
they did chide with him sharply.
[2] And he said unto them, What have I done now in comparison of you? Is not
the gleaning of the grapes of Ephraim better than the vintage of Abi-ezer?
[3] God hath delivered into your hands the princes of Midian, Oreb and Zeeb:
and what was I able to do in comparison of you? Then their anger was abated
toward him, when he had said that.
[4] And Gideon came to Jordan, and passed over, he, and the three hundred
men that were with him, faint, yet pursuing them.
[5] And he said unto the men of Succoth, Give, I pray you, loaves of bread
unto the people that follow me; for they be faint, and I am pursuing after
Zebah and Zalmunna, kings of Midian.
[6] And the princes of Succoth said, Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna now
in thine hand, that we should give bread unto thine army?
[7] And Gideon said, Therefore when the LORD hath delivered Zebah and
Zalmunna into mine hand, then I will tear your flesh with the thorns of the
wilderness and with briers.
[8] And he went up thence to Penuel, and spake unto them likewise: and the
men of Penuel answered him as the men of Succoth had answered him.
[9] And he spake also unto the men of Penuel, saying, When I come again in
peace, I will break down this tower.
[10] Now Zebah and Zalmunna were in Karkor, and their hosts with them, about
fifteen thousand men, all that were left of all the hosts of the children of
the east: for there fell an hundred and twenty thousand men that drew sword.
[11] And Gideon went up by the way of them that dwelt in tents on the east
of Nobah and Jogbehah, and smote the host: for the host was secure.
[12] And when Zebah and Zalmunna fled, he pursued after them, and took the
two kings of Midian, Zebah and Zalmunna, and discomfited all the host.
[13] And Gideon the son of Joash returned from battle before the sun was up,
[14] And caught a young man of the men of Succoth, and inquired of him: and
he described unto him the princes of Succoth, and the elders thereof, even
threescore and seventeen men.
[15] And he came unto the men of Succoth, and said, Behold Zebah and
Zalmunna, with whom ye did upbraid me, saying, Are the hands of Zebah and
Zalmunna now in thine hand, that we should give bread unto thy men that are
weary?
[16] And he took the elders of the city, and thorns of the wilderness and
briers, and with them he taught the men of Succoth.
[17] And he beat down the tower of Penuel, and slew the men of the city.
[18] Then said he unto Zebah and Zalmunna, What manner of men were they whom
ye slew at Tabor? And they answered, As thou art, so were they; each one
resembled the children of a king.
[19] And he said, They were my brethren, even the sons of my mother: as the
LORD liveth, if ye had saved them alive, I would not slay you.
[20] And he said unto Jether his firstborn, Up, and slay them. But the youth
drew not his sword: for he feared, because he was yet a youth.
[21] Then Zebah and Zalmunna said, Rise thou, and fall upon us: for as the
man is, so is his strength. And Gideon arose, and slew Zebah and Zalmunna,
and took away the ornaments that were on their camels' necks.
Gideon's Ephod
22 Then the men of Israel said to Gideon, "Rule over us, you, and your son,
and your grandson, for you have saved us from the hands of Midian."
23 (1Sa 10:19; 12:12) Gideon said to them, "I will not rule over you,
and my son will not rule over you. The Lord will rule over you."
24 (Ge 25:13; 37:25) Gideon continued, "I have a request to make of you,
that each man would give me an earring from his spoils."
(Their enemy had golden earrings because they were Ishmaelites.)
25 They said, "We will certainly give them."
So they spread out a cloak, and each man threw a ring of his spoils there.
26 The weight of the golden earrings that he requested was 1700 gold shekels.
[About 43 pounds, or 20 kilograms.]
This was in addition to the crescent-shaped ornaments, jewelry,
and purple clothing worn by the kings of Midian, as well as the chains
hanging on the necks of their camels.
27 (Jdg 17:5; 18:14) Gideon used these things to make an ephod.
He put it in his city, in Ophrah, and all Israel prostituted themselves
to it there. It became a snare to Gideon and his family.
28 (Jdg 5:31; 3:11) The Midianites were humbled before the children of Israel
and did not lift their heads high again. The land had peace
for 40 years in the days of Gideon.
[22] Then the men of Israel said unto Gideon, Rule thou over us, both thou,
and thy son, and thy son's son also: for thou hast delivered us from the
hand of Midian.
[23] And Gideon said unto them, I will not rule over you, neither shall my
son rule over you: the LORD shall rule over you.
[24] And Gideon said unto them, I would desire a request of you, that ye
would give me every man the earrings of his prey. (For they had golden
earrings, because they were Ishmaelites.)
[25] And they answered, We will willingly give them. And they spread a
garment, and did cast therein every man the earrings of his prey.
[26] And the weight of the golden earrings that he requested was a thousand
and seven hundred shekels of gold; beside ornaments, and collars, and purple
raiment that was on the kings of Midian, and beside the chains that were
about their camels' necks.
[27] And Gideon made an ephod thereof, and put it in his city, even in
Ophrah: and all Israel went thither a whoring after it: which thing became a
snare unto Gideon, and to his house.
[28] Thus was Midian subdued before the children of Israel, so that they
lifted up their heads no more. And the country was in quietness forty years
in the days of Gideon.
The Death of Gideon
29 (Jdg 6:32; 7:1) Jerub-Baal son of Joash went to his house and lived there.
30 (Jdg 9:2; 9:5) Gideon had seventy sons, for he had many wives.
31 His concubine who lived in Shechem also bore him a son,
and he named him Abimelek.
32 (Ge 25:8; 15:15) Gideon son of Joash died at a good old age,
and he was buried in the tomb of his father Joash in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.
33 (Jdg 9:4; 9:46) After Gideon died, the children of Israel turned again
to prostitute themselves with the Baals. They made Baal-Berith their god.
34 (Ps 78:11; 78:42) The children of Israel did not remember the Lord
their God, who had delivered them from the hands of their enemies around them,
35 and they did not keep faith with the family of Jerub-Baal
(that is, Gideon), for all the good he had done for Israel.
[29] And Jerubbaal the son of Joash went and dwelt in his own house.
[30] And Gideon had threescore and ten sons of his body begotten: for he had
many wives.
[31] And his concubine that was in Shechem, she also bare him a son, whose
name he called Abimelech.
[32] And Gideon the son of Joash died in a good old age, and was buried in
the sepulchre of Joash his father, in Ophrah of the Abi-ezrites.
[33] And it came to pass, as soon as Gideon was dead, that the children of
Israel turned again, and went a whoring after Baalim, and made Baal-berith
their god.
[34] And the children of Israel remembered not the LORD their God, who had
delivered them out of the hands of all their enemies on every side:
[35] Neither shewed they kindness to the house of Jerubbaal, namely, Gideon,
according to all the goodness which he had shewed unto Israel.
JUDGES 9
Abimelek
1 (Jdg 8:31) Abimelek son of Jerub-Baal went to Shechem,
to his mother's brothers. He spoke to them and to the house
of his mother's father saying,
2 (Ge 29:14; Jdg 8:30) "Please say in the hearing of all of the leaders of Shechem,
'Which is better for you, to have all seventy sons of Jerub-Baal rule
over you, or for one man to rule over you?
Remember that I am your own flesh and bone.' "
3 (Ge 29:15) So his mother's brothers spoke all these things about him
in the hearing of all the leaders of Shechem, and their hearts inclined
toward Abimelek, for they said, "He is our brother."
4 (Jdg 8:33; 11:3) They gave him seventy silver coins
[About 1 3/4 pounds, or 800 grams.]
from the temple of Baal-Berith. Abimelek hired unprincipled
and undisciplined men, and they followed him.
5 (2Ki 11:1-2; Jdg 6:24) He went to his father's house at Ophrah
and killed his brothers, the seventy sons of Jerub-Baal, on a single stone.
Yet Jotham, the youngest son of Jerub-Baal, survived because he hid himself.
6 (2Sa 5:9) All the leaders of Shechem and everyone from Beth Millo
gathered together by the oak near the pillar in Shechem to make Abimelek king.
7 (Dt 11:29; 27:12) When Jotham heard this, he went
and stood on the top of Mount Gerizim.
He raised his voice and called out, saying to them,
"Listen to me, leaders of Shechem, so that God may listen to you!
8 (Jdg 8:22-23; 2Ki 14:9) The trees once went out to anoint a king over them.
They said to the olive tree, 'Rule over us!'
9 "Yet the olive tree said to them, 'Should I stop making oil,
by which God and men are honored, to go and sway over the trees?'
10 "So the trees said to the fig tree, 'You come and rule over us.'
11 "Yet the fig tree said to them, 'Should I stop making my sweet aroma
and my fruit, to go and sway over the trees?'
12 "So the trees said to the grapevine, 'You come and rule over us.'
13 (Ps 104:15) "Yet the grapevine said to them, 'Should I stop making
my fresh wine, which cheers God and men, to go and sway over the trees?'
14 "So the trees said to the thorn bush, 'You come and rule over us.'
15 (Jdg 9:20; Isa 2:13) "The thorn bush said to the trees,
'If you really want to anoint me king over you,
then come and take refuge in my shade. If not, let fire come out
from the thorn bush and consume the cedars of Lebanon!'
16 (Jdg 8:35) "Now then, did you show good faith and integrity
when you made Abimelek king? Did you deal well with Jerub-Baal
and his family? Did you do to him as his actions deserved,
17 considering that my father waged war for you, risked his life for you,
and delivered you from the hands of Midian?
18 (Jdg 9:5-6) Yet you have taken a stand against my father's family today.
You killed his seventy sons, each on a single stone.
You made Abimelek, son of his slave woman, king over the leaders of Shechem
because he is your brother.
19 (Isa 8:6) So if you did show good faith and integrity in what you did with
Jerub-Baal and his family today, then rejoice in Abimelek,
and may he also rejoice in you.
20 (Jdg 9:15; 9:56-57) If not, let fire come out from Abimelek
and consume the leaders of Shechem and Beth Millo,
and let fire come out from the leaders of Shechem
and from Beth Millo and consume Abimelek!"
21 (Nu 21:16) Then Jotham ran away and fled. He went to Beer
and lived there because of Abimelek his brother.
Judges 9
[1] And Abimelech the son of Jerubbaal went to Shechem unto his mother's
brethren, and communed with them, and with all the family of the house of
his mother's father, saying,
[2] Speak, I pray you, in the ears of all the men of Shechem, Whether is
better for you, either that all the sons of Jerubbaal, which are threescore
and ten persons, reign over you, or that one reign over you? remember also
that I am your bone and your flesh.
[3] And his mother's brethren spake of him in the ears of all the men of
Shechem all these words: and their hearts inclined to follow Abimelech; for
they said, He is our brother.
[4] And they gave him threescore and ten pieces of silver out of the house
of Baal-berith, wherewith Abimelech hired vain and light persons, which
followed him.
[5] And he went unto his father's house at Ophrah, and slew his brethren the
sons of Jerubbaal, being threescore and ten persons, upon one stone:
notwithstanding yet Jotham the youngest son of Jerubbaal was left; for he
hid himself.
[6] And all the men of Shechem gathered together, and all the house of
Millo, and went, and made Abimelech king, by the plain of the pillar that
was in Shechem.
[7] And when they told it to Jotham, he went and stood in the top of mount
Gerizim, and lifted up his voice, and cried, and said unto them, Hearken
unto me, ye men of Shechem, that God may hearken unto you.
[8] The trees went forth on a time to anoint a king over them; and they said
unto the olive tree, Reign thou over us.
[9] But the olive tree said unto them, Should I leave my fatness, wherewith
by me they honour God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees?
[10] And the trees said to the fig tree, Come thou, and reign over us.
[11] But the fig tree said unto them, Should I forsake my sweetness, and my
good fruit, and go to be promoted over the trees?
[12] Then said the trees unto the vine, Come thou, and reign over us.
[13] And the vine said unto them, Should I leave my wine, which cheereth God
and man, and go to be promoted over the trees?
[14] Then said all the trees unto the bramble, Come thou, and reign over us.
[15] And the bramble said unto the trees, If in truth ye anoint me king over
you, then come and put your trust in my shadow: and if not, let fire come
out of the bramble, and devour the cedars of Lebanon.
[16] Now therefore, if ye have done truly and sincerely, in that ye have
made Abimelech king, and if ye have dealt well with Jerubbaal and his house,
and have done unto him according to the deserving of his hands;
[17] (For my father fought for you, and adventured his life far, and
delivered you out of the hand of Midian:
[18] And ye are risen up against my father's house this day, and have slain
his sons, threescore and ten persons, upon one stone, and have made
Abimelech, the son of his maidservant, king over the men of Shechem, because
he is your brother;)
[19] If ye then have dealt truly and sincerely with Jerubbaal and with his
house this day, then rejoice ye in Abimelech, and let him also rejoice in
you:
[20] But if not, let fire come out from Abimelech, and devour the men of
Shechem, and the house of Millo; and let fire come out from the men of
Shechem, and from the house of Millo, and devour Abimelech.
[21] And Jotham ran away, and fled, and went to Beer, and dwelt there, for
fear of Abimelech his brother.
The Downfall of Abimelek
22 After Abimelek ruled over Israel for three years,
23 (Isa 33:1; 19:14) God sent an evil spirit between Abimelek
and the leaders of Shechem, and the leaders of Shechem
dealt treacherously with Abimelek,
24 (1Ki 2:32; Est 9:25) so that the violence done to the seventy
sons of Jerub-Baal and their blood might come back upon
Abimelek their brother, who killed them, and upon the leaders of Shechem,
who empowered him to kill his brothers.
25 The leaders of Shechem set ambushes against him on the hilltops
and robbed all who passed by them on the road. This was told to Abimelek.
26 Gaal, the son of Ebed, and his brothers came to Shechem,
and the leaders of Shechem trusted him.
27 (Jdg 9:4) They went out to the field, gathered
and trod their grapes, and had a celebration.
They went to the temple of their god and ate, drank,
and cursed Abimelek.
28 (Ge 34:2; 34:6) Gaal son of Ebed said, "Who is Abimelek,
and who is Shechem, that we should serve him?
Is he not the son of Jerub-Baal, and is not Zebul his officer?
Serve the sons of Hamor, the father of Shechem.
Why should we serve Abimelek?
29 (2Sa 15:4) If only this people were under my command,
I would get rid of Abimelek." So he said to Abimelek, "Muster your army
and come out!"
30 Then Zebul the city ruler heard the words of Gaal
son of Ebed and he burned with anger.
31 He secretly sent messengers to Abimelek, saying, "Gaal, the son of Ebed,
and his brothers have come to Shechem and are fortifying the city against you.
32 So now, get up at night, you and the people with you,
and lie in wait in the field.
33 (1Sa 10:7; Ecc 9:10) In the morning at sunrise, get up early and attack
the city. He and the people with him will come out to you,
then you can do to them as you find opportunity."
34 So Abimelek and all the people who were with him got up at night
and lay in wait by Shechem in four companies.
35 When Gaal son of Ebed went out and stood at the entrance of the city gate
then Abimelek and the people who were with him
got up from their hiding places.
36 Gaal saw these people and said to Zebul,
"Look, people are coming down from the hilltops."
Zebul said to him, "The shadows of the hills look like men to you."
37 Gaal spoke again and said, "Look, people are coming down the middle
of the land, and a company is coming by way of the Diviner's Oak."
38 (Jdg 9:28-29) Then Zebul said to him, "Where is your mouth now,
which said, 'Who is Abimelek, that we should serve him?'
Are not these the people you dismissed out of hand?
Go now, I pray, and fight against them."
39 So Gaal went out before the leaders of Shechem and fought Abimelek.
40 Abimelek chased him, and Gaal fled from him. Many fell wounded
at the entrance of the gate.
41 Abimelek stayed in Arumah, and Zebul drove out Gaal
and his brothers from living in Shechem.
42 The next day the people went out into
the field, and this was told to Abimelek.
43 So he took the people and divided them into three companies,
and they laid in wait in the field. When the people came out from the city,
he rose up against them and struck them down.
44 Abimelek and the company that was with him rushed forward and stood
at the entrance of the city gate. The two other combat units attacked everyone
in the field and struck them down.
45 (2Ki 3:25; Dt 29:23) Abimelek fought against the city all that day.
He captured the city and killed the people inside it;
he tore down the city and spread salt over it.
46 (Jdg 8:33; 9:4) When the leaders of the Tower of Shechem heard this,
they entered the fortified temple of El-Berith.
47 Abimelek was told that all the leaders of the Tower of Shechem
had gathered together.
48 (Ps 68:14) So Abimelek and all the people who were with him went
up Mount Zalmon. He took an axe in his hand and cut off a tree branch,
lifted it, and carried it on his shoulder. Then he said to the men
who were with him, "What you have seen me do, hurry and do the same."
49 So everyone likewise cut off a branch and followed Abimelek.
They placed them on the fortification and set the fortification
on fire over them. So all the people of the Tower of Shechem died,
about 1000 men and women.
50 Then Abimelek went to Thebez and encamped against Thebez and captured it.
51 But there was a fortified tower within the city,
so all of the men and women and the leaders of the city fled there.
They shut themselves in and went up to the top of the tower.
52 Abimelek came to the tower and fought against it. But as he drew near
to the tower entrance to burn it with fire,
53 (2Sa 11:21) a certain woman dropped an upper millstone
on the head of Abimelek, and it crushed his skull.
54 Urgently he called to the young man who carried his gear and said to him,
"Draw your sword and kill me, so that people may not say about me,
'A woman killed him.' "
So the young man pierced him through, and he died.
55 Then the men of Israel saw that Abimelek was dead, so everyone went home.
56 (Ps 94:23; Jdg 9:24) Thus God repaid the wickedness of Abimelek,
which he committed against his father by killing his seventy brothers.
57 (Jdg 9:20) God also repaid the evil deeds of the men of Shechem,
and the curse of Jotham son of Jerub-Baal came upon them.
[22] When Abimelech had reigned three years over Israel,
[23] Then God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the men of Shechem;
and the men of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech:
[24] That the cruelty done to the threescore and ten sons of Jerubbaal might
come, and their blood be laid upon Abimelech their brother, which slew them;
and upon the men of Shechem, which aided him in the killing of his brethren.
[25] And the men of Shechem set liers in wait for him in the top of the
mountains, and they robbed all that came along that way by them: and it was
told Abimelech.
[26] And Gaal the son of Ebed came with his brethren, and went over to
Shechem: and the men of Shechem put their confidence in him.
[27] And they went out into the fields, and gathered their vineyards, and
trode the grapes, and made merry, and went into the house of their god, and
did eat and drink, and cursed Abimelech.
[28] And Gaal the son of Ebed said, Who is Abimelech, and who is Shechem,
that we should serve him? is not he the son of Jerubbaal? and Zebul his
officer? serve the men of Hamor the father of Shechem: for why should we
serve him?
[29] And would to God this people were under my hand! then would I remove
Abimelech. And he said to Abimelech, Increase thine army, and come out.
[30] And when Zebul the ruler of the city heard the words of Gaal the son of
Ebed, his anger was kindled.
[31] And he sent messengers unto Abimelech privily, saying, Behold, Gaal the
son of Ebed and his brethren be come to Shechem; and, behold, they fortify
the city against thee.
[32] Now therefore up by night, thou and the people that is with thee, and
lie in wait in the field:
[33] And it shall be, that in the morning, as soon as the sun is up, thou
shalt rise early, and set upon the city: and, behold, when he and the people
that is with him come out against thee, then mayest thou do to them as thou
shalt find occasion.
[34] And Abimelech rose up, and all the people that were with him, by night,
and they laid wait against Shechem in four companies.
[35] And Gaal the son of Ebed went out, and stood in the entering of the
gate of the city: and Abimelech rose up, and the people that were with him,
from lying in wait.
[36] And when Gaal saw the people, he said to Zebul, Behold, there come
people down from the top of the mountains. And Zebul said unto him, Thou
seest the shadow of the mountains as if they were men.
[37] And Gaal spake again and said, See there come people down by the middle
of the land, and another company come along by the plain of Meonenim.
[38] Then said Zebul unto him, Where is now thy mouth, wherewith thou
saidst, Who is Abimelech, that we should serve him? is not this the people
that thou hast despised? go out, I pray now, and fight with them.
[39] And Gaal went out before the men of Shechem, and fought with Abimelech.
[40] And Abimelech chased him, and he fled before him, and many were
overthrown and wounded, even unto the entering of the gate.
[41] And Abimelech dwelt at Arumah: and Zebul thrust out Gaal and his
brethren, that they should not dwell in Shechem.
[42] And it came to pass on the morrow, that the people went out into the
field; and they told Abimelech.
[43] And he took the people, and divided them into three companies, and laid
wait in the field, and looked, and, behold, the people were come forth out
of the city; and he rose up against them, and smote them.
[44] And Abimelech, and the company that was with him, rushed forward, and
stood in the entering of the gate of the city: and the two other companies
ran upon all the people that were in the fields, and slew them.
[45] And Abimelech fought against the city all that day; and he took the
city, and slew the people that was therein, and beat down the city, and
sowed it with salt.
[46] And when all the men of the tower of Shechem heard that, they entered
into an hold of the house of the god Berith.
[47] And it was told Abimelech, that all the men of the tower of Shechem
were gathered together.
[48] And Abimelech gat him up to mount Zalmon, he and all the people that
were with him; and Abimelech took an axe in his hand, and cut down a bough
from the trees, and took it, and laid it on his shoulder, and said unto the
people that were with him, What ye have seen me do, make haste, and do as I
have done.
[49] And all the people likewise cut down every man his bough, and followed
Abimelech, and put them to the hold, and set the hold on fire upon them; so
that all the men of the tower of Shechem died also, about a thousand men and
women.
[50] Then went Abimelech to Thebez, and encamped against Thebez, and took
it.
[51] But there was a strong tower within the city, and thither fled all the
men and women, and all they of the city, and shut it to them, and gat them
up to the top of the tower.
[52] And Abimelech came unto the tower, and fought against it, and went hard
unto the door of the tower to burn it with fire.
[53] And a certain woman cast a piece of a millstone upon Abimelech's head,
and all to brake his skull.
[54] Then he called hastily unto the young man his armourbearer, and said
unto him, Draw thy sword, and slay me, that men say not of me, A woman slew
him. And his young man thrust him through, and he died.
[55] And when the men of Israel saw that Abimelech was dead, they departed
every man unto his place.
[56] Thus God rendered the wickedness of Abimelech, which he did unto his
father, in slaying his seventy brethren:
[57] And all the evil of the men of Shechem did God render upon their heads:
and upon them came the curse of Jotham the son of Jerubbaal.
2) Our Daily Bread for 1 April 2024 titled
Meeting Together in Jesus
Exhortation and Warning
19 (Eph 2:18; Heb 4:16) Therefore, brothers, we have confidence to enter
the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus,
20 (Heb 9:3; Jn 10:9) by a new and living way that He has opened for us
through the veil, that is to say, His flesh,
21 (Heb 2:17; 1Ti 3:15) and since we have a High Priest over the house
of God,
22 (Eze 36:25; 1Co 6:11; Heb 7:19) let us draw near with a true heart
in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse them
from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
23 (1Co 1:9; Heb 3:6) Let us firmly hold the profession of our faith
without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.
24 (Titus 3:8; Heb 13:1) And let us consider how to spur one another
to love and to good works.
25 (Ac 2:42; Heb 3:13) Let us not forsake the assembling of ourselves
together, as is the manner of some, but let us exhort one another,
especially as you see the Day approaching.
[19] Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the
blood of Jesus,
[20] By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the
veil, that is to say, his flesh;
[21] And having an high priest over the house of God;
[22] Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having
our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with
pure water.
[23] Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he
is faithful that promised;)
[24] And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
[25] Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of
some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day
approaching.
When I went through an extended period of emotional and spiritual pain
and struggle due to difficult circumstances in my life, it would have been
easy for me to withdraw from church. (And sometimes I did wonder,
Why bother?) But I felt compelled to keep attending each Sunday.
Although my situation remained the same for many long years, worshiping
and gathering with other believers in services, prayer meetings, and Bible
study supplied the encouragement I needed to persevere and remain hopeful.
And often I'd not only hear an uplifting message or teaching, but I'd
receive comfort, a listening ear, or a hug I needed from others.
The author of Hebrews wrote, "[Don't give] up meeting together, as some are
in the habit of doing, but [encourage] one another" (Hebrews 10:25).
This author knew that when we face hardships and difficulties, we'll need
the reassurance of others-and that others would need ours. So this Scripture
writer reminded readers to "hold unswervingly to the hope we profess" and
to consider how to "spur one another on toward love and good deeds"
(vv. 23-24). That's a big part of what encouragement is.
That's why God leads us to keep meeting together. Someone may need your
loving encouragement, and you may be surprised by what you receive in return.
By: Alyson Kieda
Reflect & Pray
When have you felt encouraged after leaving a worship service?
Why? Who needs your support and reassurance?
Loving God, please help me not to give up
meeting together with other believers,
but to experience together Your peace and love.
3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation
Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 5 Rejoice in Grace - Day 2 The Wardrobe of Joy Isaiah 61:10
10 I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God;
for He has clothed me with the garments of salvation,
He has covered me with the robe of righteousness,
as a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments,
and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
10 I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God;
for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me
with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself
with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.
On her wedding day, the bride dresses carefully for the ceremony
that is about to take place. Never before has she spent so much
time in preparation for one relatively brief event. When she
looks in the mirror and rejoices in her happiness, she responds not
out of vanity, but for sheer joy as she anticipates the coming ceremony.
God wants his people, lie that bride to be joyful, to rejoice in the Lord,
the Bridegroom. And he gives, through his grace,
the garments of joy to his beloved ones.
He clothes us, Isaiah says, with salvation, and covers us with
the robe of righteousness. The wardrobe that God provides is not merely
a utility garment, a coverall that hides our sin from his eyes.
It is his own righteousness in Christ, given to us as a free gift, so that
we might be united with him. And God himself, Isaiah says,
is filled with joy, adorning himself like a bridegroom.
When we truly see God's immeasurable gift in accepting us as him own,
we also will "greatly rejoice" in the Lord. He, the eternal god,
Creator of the universe, desires to be united with us, as a husband
desires his wife! God does not simply accept us grudgingly,
reminding us of our unworthiness to be with him. Rather, he celebrates
with unrestrained joy his oneness in Spirit with those he calls his own.
And we, having been fully forgiven
and set free from sin, can rejoice unashamedly as well.
Application
a) Have I ever felt ashamed to draw close to God? Why?
b) What does this verse tell me about God's attitude towards me?
4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
Mark 4:19
19 But the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches,
and the desires for other things entering in choke the word,
and it proves unfruitful.
19 and the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches,
and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word,
and it becometh unfruitful.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
When you are Burdened by Doubt
James 1:2 to 8
Faith and Wisdom
2 My brothers, count it all joy when you fall into diverse temptations,
3 knowing that the trying of your faith develops patience.
4 But let patience perfect its work, that you may be perfect and complete,
lacking nothing.
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men
liberally and without criticism, and it will be given to him.
6 But let him ask in faith, without wavering. For he who wavers
is like a wave of the sea, driven and tossed with the wind.
7 Let not that man think that he will receive anything from the Lord.
8 A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways.
2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
3 knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect
and entire, wanting nothing.
5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men
liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth
is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.
8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
Remember God's promises when You pray
The Lord's prayer
Matthew 6:9-13
9 "Therefore pray in this manner:
Our Father who is in heaven,
hallowed be Your name.
10 (Mt 3:2; 4:17) Your kingdom come;
Your will be done
on earth, as it is in heaven.
11 (Pr 30:8; Isa 33:16) Give us this day our daily bread.
12 (Ex 34:7; Ps 32:1) And forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors.
13 (1Co 10:13; Jn 17:15) And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen."
9 After this manner therefore pray ye:
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
6) This come from Praying for Muslims in Canada 2015 (Is there a 2022 edition?)
Manitoba
Quick facts on Muslims in Manitoba
Manitoba 2015 population 1 282 000
est Muslim Population 21 349
CNMM Networks: Winnipeg
The Muslim population of Manitoba, understandably centred in Winnipeg, is very
diverse and represents some 48 different cultural and ethinic backgrounds.
Conservative estimates put their number at 21000 , with some suggesting
it might be twice that size.
Some outreach among Muslims has started, yet in comparison to the size
of this community, there is the need and opportunity for far more engagement.
Continued influx of new immigrants and refugees continues to see the growth
of this Muslim centre in Manitoba.
We rejoice in the Arabic fellowship meeting there and the energetic workers
among Muslims in Winnipeg.
Let us intercede in unity for:
- new Christian workers among Manitoba's growing Muslim population
- new church ministries focused on prayer, equipping and reaching Muslim
communities around them, as well as training new workers
- the Arabic fellowship and their ministries of discipiling new Muslim
background believers and for effectiveness in outreach
- for the recent Somali woman who found faith in Jesus and stood her ground
in the face of opposition to her new faith.
- for current workers among Muslims to be blessed, refreshed and encouraged
with great support
Adding further
Pray for Amman, Jordan
Ephesian 2:8-9
8 (Eph 2:5; Mk 16:16) For by grace you have been saved through faith,
and this is not of yourselves. It is the gift of God,
9 (2Ti 1:9; Ro 3:20) not of works, so that no one should boast.
[8] For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it
is the gift of God:
[9] Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Church bells ring while the muezzin calls people to pray over the mosque's
loudspeaker. A 22-year-old with his stylishly torn jeans lounges at a cafe
on Rainbow Street, smoking an e-cigarette. A shepherd guides 25 sheep down
the avenue, dodging cars as they pass by. A tiny, yellow taxi, races
alongside a Land Cruiser as white mansions contrast with grey apartment
buildings. Filipino maids pass by Sudanese refugees. University students
browse in bookstores while toddlers run from the nursery school to the arms
of waiting fathers.
Like Nasser the landlord, or Yahya the Egyptian building attendant, many make
enough money to provide for their families and to educate their children.
They struggle with rising costs of food but are thankful for a home to sleep
in. However, their neighbors may include Syrian or Afghan refugees, who are
in Amman temporarily waiting to leave for a better life.
Over 97% of Jordanians are Muslim. Some are strong in their faith and pray
at the mosque 5 times a day. Others are religious in name only. Meanwhile,
some are atheists. Yet very few of them have heard about the story of Jesus.
Thank God that there are many Christians in Amman who can tell others about
the way of salvation.
How to Pray
Pray for the people of Amman, especially those who are searching
for answers, to meet believers and hear the Good News about Jesus.
Pray that those who are hurting will hear God’s voice speaking through
His Word which is readily available in Amman.
Pray for the use of media tools, and that when Jordanians see videos
or read articles about the truth, they might respond in faith.
My paternal side is of Muslim heritage and will offer this section to further
call for Muslim converts to Christian and any other converts to Christianity
(Hindus, Jews, aboriginals Canadian, ...) .
7) Prayers for the nation (Canada) coming from Prayer map of Canada
http://www.ehc.ca
1st Day of the month
1) Pray for an outpouring of God's Holy Spirit on Canada
(
Joel 2:28 And it will be that, afterwards,
I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh;
then your sons and your daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream
dreams, and your young men will see visions.
28 And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon
all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men
shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:
Acts 2:17 "In the last days it shall be," says God, "
that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall
prophesy, your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream
dreams.
17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God,
I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh:
And your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
And your young men shall see visions,
And your old men shall dream dreams:
)
2) Pray that the heart of our Prime Minister
would be directed to do that which pleases God
(Prov 21:1 The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord,
as the rivers of water; He turns it to any place He will.
1 The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD,
As the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.
)
Conclusion:
Pray to the Lord and pray to the Lord for leadership and wisdom.
Pray to the Lord: "Loving God, please help me not to give up
meeting together with other believers,
but to experience together Your peace and love."
Pray to the Lord and pray to know that He frgives all your sins.
Pray to the Lord and pray not to be deceived by earthly riches.
Pray to the Lord and pray to seek His Wisdom.
Agree in prayer with us for:
- new Christian workers among Manitoba's growing Muslim population
- new church ministries focused on prayer, equipping and reaching Muslim
communities around them, as well as training new workers
- the Arabic fellowship and their ministries of discipling new Muslim
background believers and for effectiveness in outreach
- for the recent Somali woman who found faith in Jesus and stood her ground
in the face of opposition to her new faith.
- for current workers among Muslims to be blessed, refreshed and encouraged
with great support
Pray for the people of Amman, especially those who are searching
for answers, to meet believers and hear the Good News about Jesus.
Pray that those who are hurting will hear God’s voice speaking through
His Word which is readily available in Amman.
Pray for the use of media tools, and that when Jordanians see videos
or read articles about the truth, they might respond in faith.
Pray for an outpouring of God's Holy Spirit on Canada
Pray that the heart of our Prime Minister
would be directed to do that which pleases God
Pray to the Lord that to know the Holy Spirit.
and Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness
Remember eternity starts now -
Pray for the direction you take to the Ever lasting loving God
1) Judges 8, Judges 9
JUDGES 8
Zebah and Zalmunna
1 (2Sa 19:41) Then the men of Ephraim said to him,
"What have you done to us by not calling us to go
and wage war against Midian?" They argued heatedly with him.
2 He said to them, "What have I done now compared to you?
Are not the gleanings of the grapes of Ephraim better
than the harvest of Abiezer?
3 (Pr 15:1; Jdg 7:24-25) It was into your hands that God gave t
he Midianite commanders, Oreb and Zeeb. What was I able to do compared
to you?" When Gideon said this, their anger against him cooled down.
4 Then Gideon came to the Jordan and crossed over,
he and the three hundred men who were with him, exhausted but still pursuing.
5 (Ge 33:17; Ps 60:6) He said to the men of Sukkoth, "Please give some
loaves of bread to the people who are following me, for they are exhausted,
and I am pursuing Zebah and Zalmunna, kings of Midian."
6 (1Ki 20:11) The officials of Sukkoth said, "Are the hands of Zebah
and Zalmunna already in your hands that we should give bread to your army?"
7 So Gideon said, "Because of this, when the Lord gives Zebah and Zalmunna
into my hands, I will tear your bodies with desert thorns and briers."
8 (Ge 32:30-31; 1Ki 12:25) He went up from there to Peniel
and spoke to them in the same way. The men of Peniel answered him
just as the men of Sukkoth had.
9 (Jdg 8:17; 1Ki 22:27-28) So he also said to the men of Peniel,
"When I return safely, I will tear down this tower."
10 (Jdg 7:12; 20:2) Now Zebah and Zalmunna were in Karkor with their armies,
about 15000 survivors; they were all who were left of all the army
of the Kedemites, for 120000 arms-bearing men had fallen.
11 (Nu 32:35; 32:42) Gideon went up on the route of the tent dwellers
east of Nobah and Jogbehah and attacked the camp while the army
was off guard.
12 (Ps 83:11) Zebah and Zalmunna fled, and Gideon chased after them.
He captured Zebah and Zalmunna, the two kings of Midian,
and the entire army was terrified.
13 Gideon son of Joash returned from battle by the Pass of Heres.
14 He captured a young man from among the men of Sukkoth
and asked him to write the names of the leaders and elders of Sukkoth, 77 men.
15 Then he came to the men of Sukkoth and said, "Here are Zebah and Zalmunna,
about whom you taunted me. You said, 'Have you subjugated
Zebah and Zalmunna that we should give bread to your weary army?' "
16 (Jdg 8:7) He took the city elders and disciplined the men of Sukkoth
with thorns and briers of the wilderness.
17 (Jdg 8:9; 1Ki 12:25) He tore down the tower of Peniel
and killed the men of the city.
18 (Jdg 4:6) Then he said to Zebah and Zalmunna,
"What kind of men did you kill at Tabor?"
They said, "They were like you. Each one looked like the son of a king."
19 He said, "They were my brothers, the sons of my mother.
As the Lord lives, if you had allowed them to live, I would not kill you."
20 Gideon said to his firstborn Jether, "Rise and kill them!"
Yet the young man did not draw his sword because he was afraid,
for he was still a young man.
21 (Jdg 8:26; Ps 83:11) Then Zebah and Zalmunna said,
"You get up and attack us, for a man is judged by his strength."
So Gideon got up and killed Zebah and Zalmunna
and took the crescent-shaped ornaments that were on the necks of their camels.
Judges 8
[1] And the men of Ephraim said unto him, Why hast thou served us thus, that
thou calledst us not, when thou wentest to fight with the Midianites? And
they did chide with him sharply.
[2] And he said unto them, What have I done now in comparison of you? Is not
the gleaning of the grapes of Ephraim better than the vintage of Abi-ezer?
[3] God hath delivered into your hands the princes of Midian, Oreb and Zeeb:
and what was I able to do in comparison of you? Then their anger was abated
toward him, when he had said that.
[4] And Gideon came to Jordan, and passed over, he, and the three hundred
men that were with him, faint, yet pursuing them.
[5] And he said unto the men of Succoth, Give, I pray you, loaves of bread
unto the people that follow me; for they be faint, and I am pursuing after
Zebah and Zalmunna, kings of Midian.
[6] And the princes of Succoth said, Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna now
in thine hand, that we should give bread unto thine army?
[7] And Gideon said, Therefore when the LORD hath delivered Zebah and
Zalmunna into mine hand, then I will tear your flesh with the thorns of the
wilderness and with briers.
[8] And he went up thence to Penuel, and spake unto them likewise: and the
men of Penuel answered him as the men of Succoth had answered him.
[9] And he spake also unto the men of Penuel, saying, When I come again in
peace, I will break down this tower.
[10] Now Zebah and Zalmunna were in Karkor, and their hosts with them, about
fifteen thousand men, all that were left of all the hosts of the children of
the east: for there fell an hundred and twenty thousand men that drew sword.
[11] And Gideon went up by the way of them that dwelt in tents on the east
of Nobah and Jogbehah, and smote the host: for the host was secure.
[12] And when Zebah and Zalmunna fled, he pursued after them, and took the
two kings of Midian, Zebah and Zalmunna, and discomfited all the host.
[13] And Gideon the son of Joash returned from battle before the sun was up,
[14] And caught a young man of the men of Succoth, and inquired of him: and
he described unto him the princes of Succoth, and the elders thereof, even
threescore and seventeen men.
[15] And he came unto the men of Succoth, and said, Behold Zebah and
Zalmunna, with whom ye did upbraid me, saying, Are the hands of Zebah and
Zalmunna now in thine hand, that we should give bread unto thy men that are
weary?
[16] And he took the elders of the city, and thorns of the wilderness and
briers, and with them he taught the men of Succoth.
[17] And he beat down the tower of Penuel, and slew the men of the city.
[18] Then said he unto Zebah and Zalmunna, What manner of men were they whom
ye slew at Tabor? And they answered, As thou art, so were they; each one
resembled the children of a king.
[19] And he said, They were my brethren, even the sons of my mother: as the
LORD liveth, if ye had saved them alive, I would not slay you.
[20] And he said unto Jether his firstborn, Up, and slay them. But the youth
drew not his sword: for he feared, because he was yet a youth.
[21] Then Zebah and Zalmunna said, Rise thou, and fall upon us: for as the
man is, so is his strength. And Gideon arose, and slew Zebah and Zalmunna,
and took away the ornaments that were on their camels' necks.
Gideon's Ephod
22 Then the men of Israel said to Gideon, "Rule over us, you, and your son,
and your grandson, for you have saved us from the hands of Midian."
23 (1Sa 10:19; 12:12) Gideon said to them, "I will not rule over you,
and my son will not rule over you. The Lord will rule over you."
24 (Ge 25:13; 37:25) Gideon continued, "I have a request to make of you,
that each man would give me an earring from his spoils."
(Their enemy had golden earrings because they were Ishmaelites.)
25 They said, "We will certainly give them."
So they spread out a cloak, and each man threw a ring of his spoils there.
26 The weight of the golden earrings that he requested was 1700 gold shekels.
[About 43 pounds, or 20 kilograms.]
This was in addition to the crescent-shaped ornaments, jewelry,
and purple clothing worn by the kings of Midian, as well as the chains
hanging on the necks of their camels.
27 (Jdg 17:5; 18:14) Gideon used these things to make an ephod.
He put it in his city, in Ophrah, and all Israel prostituted themselves
to it there. It became a snare to Gideon and his family.
28 (Jdg 5:31; 3:11) The Midianites were humbled before the children of Israel
and did not lift their heads high again. The land had peace
for 40 years in the days of Gideon.
[22] Then the men of Israel said unto Gideon, Rule thou over us, both thou,
and thy son, and thy son's son also: for thou hast delivered us from the
hand of Midian.
[23] And Gideon said unto them, I will not rule over you, neither shall my
son rule over you: the LORD shall rule over you.
[24] And Gideon said unto them, I would desire a request of you, that ye
would give me every man the earrings of his prey. (For they had golden
earrings, because they were Ishmaelites.)
[25] And they answered, We will willingly give them. And they spread a
garment, and did cast therein every man the earrings of his prey.
[26] And the weight of the golden earrings that he requested was a thousand
and seven hundred shekels of gold; beside ornaments, and collars, and purple
raiment that was on the kings of Midian, and beside the chains that were
about their camels' necks.
[27] And Gideon made an ephod thereof, and put it in his city, even in
Ophrah: and all Israel went thither a whoring after it: which thing became a
snare unto Gideon, and to his house.
[28] Thus was Midian subdued before the children of Israel, so that they
lifted up their heads no more. And the country was in quietness forty years
in the days of Gideon.
The Death of Gideon
29 (Jdg 6:32; 7:1) Jerub-Baal son of Joash went to his house and lived there.
30 (Jdg 9:2; 9:5) Gideon had seventy sons, for he had many wives.
31 His concubine who lived in Shechem also bore him a son,
and he named him Abimelek.
32 (Ge 25:8; 15:15) Gideon son of Joash died at a good old age,
and he was buried in the tomb of his father Joash in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.
33 (Jdg 9:4; 9:46) After Gideon died, the children of Israel turned again
to prostitute themselves with the Baals. They made Baal-Berith their god.
34 (Ps 78:11; 78:42) The children of Israel did not remember the Lord
their God, who had delivered them from the hands of their enemies around them,
35 and they did not keep faith with the family of Jerub-Baal
(that is, Gideon), for all the good he had done for Israel.
[29] And Jerubbaal the son of Joash went and dwelt in his own house.
[30] And Gideon had threescore and ten sons of his body begotten: for he had
many wives.
[31] And his concubine that was in Shechem, she also bare him a son, whose
name he called Abimelech.
[32] And Gideon the son of Joash died in a good old age, and was buried in
the sepulchre of Joash his father, in Ophrah of the Abi-ezrites.
[33] And it came to pass, as soon as Gideon was dead, that the children of
Israel turned again, and went a whoring after Baalim, and made Baal-berith
their god.
[34] And the children of Israel remembered not the LORD their God, who had
delivered them out of the hands of all their enemies on every side:
[35] Neither shewed they kindness to the house of Jerubbaal, namely, Gideon,
according to all the goodness which he had shewed unto Israel.
JUDGES 9
Abimelek
1 (Jdg 8:31) Abimelek son of Jerub-Baal went to Shechem,
to his mother's brothers. He spoke to them and to the house
of his mother's father saying,
2 (Ge 29:14; Jdg 8:30) "Please say in the hearing of all of the leaders of Shechem,
'Which is better for you, to have all seventy sons of Jerub-Baal rule
over you, or for one man to rule over you?
Remember that I am your own flesh and bone.' "
3 (Ge 29:15) So his mother's brothers spoke all these things about him
in the hearing of all the leaders of Shechem, and their hearts inclined
toward Abimelek, for they said, "He is our brother."
4 (Jdg 8:33; 11:3) They gave him seventy silver coins
[About 1 3/4 pounds, or 800 grams.]
from the temple of Baal-Berith. Abimelek hired unprincipled
and undisciplined men, and they followed him.
5 (2Ki 11:1-2; Jdg 6:24) He went to his father's house at Ophrah
and killed his brothers, the seventy sons of Jerub-Baal, on a single stone.
Yet Jotham, the youngest son of Jerub-Baal, survived because he hid himself.
6 (2Sa 5:9) All the leaders of Shechem and everyone from Beth Millo
gathered together by the oak near the pillar in Shechem to make Abimelek king.
7 (Dt 11:29; 27:12) When Jotham heard this, he went
and stood on the top of Mount Gerizim.
He raised his voice and called out, saying to them,
"Listen to me, leaders of Shechem, so that God may listen to you!
8 (Jdg 8:22-23; 2Ki 14:9) The trees once went out to anoint a king over them.
They said to the olive tree, 'Rule over us!'
9 "Yet the olive tree said to them, 'Should I stop making oil,
by which God and men are honored, to go and sway over the trees?'
10 "So the trees said to the fig tree, 'You come and rule over us.'
11 "Yet the fig tree said to them, 'Should I stop making my sweet aroma
and my fruit, to go and sway over the trees?'
12 "So the trees said to the grapevine, 'You come and rule over us.'
13 (Ps 104:15) "Yet the grapevine said to them, 'Should I stop making
my fresh wine, which cheers God and men, to go and sway over the trees?'
14 "So the trees said to the thorn bush, 'You come and rule over us.'
15 (Jdg 9:20; Isa 2:13) "The thorn bush said to the trees,
'If you really want to anoint me king over you,
then come and take refuge in my shade. If not, let fire come out
from the thorn bush and consume the cedars of Lebanon!'
16 (Jdg 8:35) "Now then, did you show good faith and integrity
when you made Abimelek king? Did you deal well with Jerub-Baal
and his family? Did you do to him as his actions deserved,
17 considering that my father waged war for you, risked his life for you,
and delivered you from the hands of Midian?
18 (Jdg 9:5-6) Yet you have taken a stand against my father's family today.
You killed his seventy sons, each on a single stone.
You made Abimelek, son of his slave woman, king over the leaders of Shechem
because he is your brother.
19 (Isa 8:6) So if you did show good faith and integrity in what you did with
Jerub-Baal and his family today, then rejoice in Abimelek,
and may he also rejoice in you.
20 (Jdg 9:15; 9:56-57) If not, let fire come out from Abimelek
and consume the leaders of Shechem and Beth Millo,
and let fire come out from the leaders of Shechem
and from Beth Millo and consume Abimelek!"
21 (Nu 21:16) Then Jotham ran away and fled. He went to Beer
and lived there because of Abimelek his brother.
Judges 9
[1] And Abimelech the son of Jerubbaal went to Shechem unto his mother's
brethren, and communed with them, and with all the family of the house of
his mother's father, saying,
[2] Speak, I pray you, in the ears of all the men of Shechem, Whether is
better for you, either that all the sons of Jerubbaal, which are threescore
and ten persons, reign over you, or that one reign over you? remember also
that I am your bone and your flesh.
[3] And his mother's brethren spake of him in the ears of all the men of
Shechem all these words: and their hearts inclined to follow Abimelech; for
they said, He is our brother.
[4] And they gave him threescore and ten pieces of silver out of the house
of Baal-berith, wherewith Abimelech hired vain and light persons, which
followed him.
[5] And he went unto his father's house at Ophrah, and slew his brethren the
sons of Jerubbaal, being threescore and ten persons, upon one stone:
notwithstanding yet Jotham the youngest son of Jerubbaal was left; for he
hid himself.
[6] And all the men of Shechem gathered together, and all the house of
Millo, and went, and made Abimelech king, by the plain of the pillar that
was in Shechem.
[7] And when they told it to Jotham, he went and stood in the top of mount
Gerizim, and lifted up his voice, and cried, and said unto them, Hearken
unto me, ye men of Shechem, that God may hearken unto you.
[8] The trees went forth on a time to anoint a king over them; and they said
unto the olive tree, Reign thou over us.
[9] But the olive tree said unto them, Should I leave my fatness, wherewith
by me they honour God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees?
[10] And the trees said to the fig tree, Come thou, and reign over us.
[11] But the fig tree said unto them, Should I forsake my sweetness, and my
good fruit, and go to be promoted over the trees?
[12] Then said the trees unto the vine, Come thou, and reign over us.
[13] And the vine said unto them, Should I leave my wine, which cheereth God
and man, and go to be promoted over the trees?
[14] Then said all the trees unto the bramble, Come thou, and reign over us.
[15] And the bramble said unto the trees, If in truth ye anoint me king over
you, then come and put your trust in my shadow: and if not, let fire come
out of the bramble, and devour the cedars of Lebanon.
[16] Now therefore, if ye have done truly and sincerely, in that ye have
made Abimelech king, and if ye have dealt well with Jerubbaal and his house,
and have done unto him according to the deserving of his hands;
[17] (For my father fought for you, and adventured his life far, and
delivered you out of the hand of Midian:
[18] And ye are risen up against my father's house this day, and have slain
his sons, threescore and ten persons, upon one stone, and have made
Abimelech, the son of his maidservant, king over the men of Shechem, because
he is your brother;)
[19] If ye then have dealt truly and sincerely with Jerubbaal and with his
house this day, then rejoice ye in Abimelech, and let him also rejoice in
you:
[20] But if not, let fire come out from Abimelech, and devour the men of
Shechem, and the house of Millo; and let fire come out from the men of
Shechem, and from the house of Millo, and devour Abimelech.
[21] And Jotham ran away, and fled, and went to Beer, and dwelt there, for
fear of Abimelech his brother.
The Downfall of Abimelek
22 After Abimelek ruled over Israel for three years,
23 (Isa 33:1; 19:14) God sent an evil spirit between Abimelek
and the leaders of Shechem, and the leaders of Shechem
dealt treacherously with Abimelek,
24 (1Ki 2:32; Est 9:25) so that the violence done to the seventy
sons of Jerub-Baal and their blood might come back upon
Abimelek their brother, who killed them, and upon the leaders of Shechem,
who empowered him to kill his brothers.
25 The leaders of Shechem set ambushes against him on the hilltops
and robbed all who passed by them on the road. This was told to Abimelek.
26 Gaal, the son of Ebed, and his brothers came to Shechem,
and the leaders of Shechem trusted him.
27 (Jdg 9:4) They went out to the field, gathered
and trod their grapes, and had a celebration.
They went to the temple of their god and ate, drank,
and cursed Abimelek.
28 (Ge 34:2; 34:6) Gaal son of Ebed said, "Who is Abimelek,
and who is Shechem, that we should serve him?
Is he not the son of Jerub-Baal, and is not Zebul his officer?
Serve the sons of Hamor, the father of Shechem.
Why should we serve Abimelek?
29 (2Sa 15:4) If only this people were under my command,
I would get rid of Abimelek." So he said to Abimelek, "Muster your army
and come out!"
30 Then Zebul the city ruler heard the words of Gaal
son of Ebed and he burned with anger.
31 He secretly sent messengers to Abimelek, saying, "Gaal, the son of Ebed,
and his brothers have come to Shechem and are fortifying the city against you.
32 So now, get up at night, you and the people with you,
and lie in wait in the field.
33 (1Sa 10:7; Ecc 9:10) In the morning at sunrise, get up early and attack
the city. He and the people with him will come out to you,
then you can do to them as you find opportunity."
34 So Abimelek and all the people who were with him got up at night
and lay in wait by Shechem in four companies.
35 When Gaal son of Ebed went out and stood at the entrance of the city gate
then Abimelek and the people who were with him
got up from their hiding places.
36 Gaal saw these people and said to Zebul,
"Look, people are coming down from the hilltops."
Zebul said to him, "The shadows of the hills look like men to you."
37 Gaal spoke again and said, "Look, people are coming down the middle
of the land, and a company is coming by way of the Diviner's Oak."
38 (Jdg 9:28-29) Then Zebul said to him, "Where is your mouth now,
which said, 'Who is Abimelek, that we should serve him?'
Are not these the people you dismissed out of hand?
Go now, I pray, and fight against them."
39 So Gaal went out before the leaders of Shechem and fought Abimelek.
40 Abimelek chased him, and Gaal fled from him. Many fell wounded
at the entrance of the gate.
41 Abimelek stayed in Arumah, and Zebul drove out Gaal
and his brothers from living in Shechem.
42 The next day the people went out into
the field, and this was told to Abimelek.
43 So he took the people and divided them into three companies,
and they laid in wait in the field. When the people came out from the city,
he rose up against them and struck them down.
44 Abimelek and the company that was with him rushed forward and stood
at the entrance of the city gate. The two other combat units attacked everyone
in the field and struck them down.
45 (2Ki 3:25; Dt 29:23) Abimelek fought against the city all that day.
He captured the city and killed the people inside it;
he tore down the city and spread salt over it.
46 (Jdg 8:33; 9:4) When the leaders of the Tower of Shechem heard this,
they entered the fortified temple of El-Berith.
47 Abimelek was told that all the leaders of the Tower of Shechem
had gathered together.
48 (Ps 68:14) So Abimelek and all the people who were with him went
up Mount Zalmon. He took an axe in his hand and cut off a tree branch,
lifted it, and carried it on his shoulder. Then he said to the men
who were with him, "What you have seen me do, hurry and do the same."
49 So everyone likewise cut off a branch and followed Abimelek.
They placed them on the fortification and set the fortification
on fire over them. So all the people of the Tower of Shechem died,
about 1000 men and women.
50 Then Abimelek went to Thebez and encamped against Thebez and captured it.
51 But there was a fortified tower within the city,
so all of the men and women and the leaders of the city fled there.
They shut themselves in and went up to the top of the tower.
52 Abimelek came to the tower and fought against it. But as he drew near
to the tower entrance to burn it with fire,
53 (2Sa 11:21) a certain woman dropped an upper millstone
on the head of Abimelek, and it crushed his skull.
54 Urgently he called to the young man who carried his gear and said to him,
"Draw your sword and kill me, so that people may not say about me,
'A woman killed him.' "
So the young man pierced him through, and he died.
55 Then the men of Israel saw that Abimelek was dead, so everyone went home.
56 (Ps 94:23; Jdg 9:24) Thus God repaid the wickedness of Abimelek,
which he committed against his father by killing his seventy brothers.
57 (Jdg 9:20) God also repaid the evil deeds of the men of Shechem,
and the curse of Jotham son of Jerub-Baal came upon them.
[22] When Abimelech had reigned three years over Israel,
[23] Then God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the men of Shechem;
and the men of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech:
[24] That the cruelty done to the threescore and ten sons of Jerubbaal might
come, and their blood be laid upon Abimelech their brother, which slew them;
and upon the men of Shechem, which aided him in the killing of his brethren.
[25] And the men of Shechem set liers in wait for him in the top of the
mountains, and they robbed all that came along that way by them: and it was
told Abimelech.
[26] And Gaal the son of Ebed came with his brethren, and went over to
Shechem: and the men of Shechem put their confidence in him.
[27] And they went out into the fields, and gathered their vineyards, and
trode the grapes, and made merry, and went into the house of their god, and
did eat and drink, and cursed Abimelech.
[28] And Gaal the son of Ebed said, Who is Abimelech, and who is Shechem,
that we should serve him? is not he the son of Jerubbaal? and Zebul his
officer? serve the men of Hamor the father of Shechem: for why should we
serve him?
[29] And would to God this people were under my hand! then would I remove
Abimelech. And he said to Abimelech, Increase thine army, and come out.
[30] And when Zebul the ruler of the city heard the words of Gaal the son of
Ebed, his anger was kindled.
[31] And he sent messengers unto Abimelech privily, saying, Behold, Gaal the
son of Ebed and his brethren be come to Shechem; and, behold, they fortify
the city against thee.
[32] Now therefore up by night, thou and the people that is with thee, and
lie in wait in the field:
[33] And it shall be, that in the morning, as soon as the sun is up, thou
shalt rise early, and set upon the city: and, behold, when he and the people
that is with him come out against thee, then mayest thou do to them as thou
shalt find occasion.
[34] And Abimelech rose up, and all the people that were with him, by night,
and they laid wait against Shechem in four companies.
[35] And Gaal the son of Ebed went out, and stood in the entering of the
gate of the city: and Abimelech rose up, and the people that were with him,
from lying in wait.
[36] And when Gaal saw the people, he said to Zebul, Behold, there come
people down from the top of the mountains. And Zebul said unto him, Thou
seest the shadow of the mountains as if they were men.
[37] And Gaal spake again and said, See there come people down by the middle
of the land, and another company come along by the plain of Meonenim.
[38] Then said Zebul unto him, Where is now thy mouth, wherewith thou
saidst, Who is Abimelech, that we should serve him? is not this the people
that thou hast despised? go out, I pray now, and fight with them.
[39] And Gaal went out before the men of Shechem, and fought with Abimelech.
[40] And Abimelech chased him, and he fled before him, and many were
overthrown and wounded, even unto the entering of the gate.
[41] And Abimelech dwelt at Arumah: and Zebul thrust out Gaal and his
brethren, that they should not dwell in Shechem.
[42] And it came to pass on the morrow, that the people went out into the
field; and they told Abimelech.
[43] And he took the people, and divided them into three companies, and laid
wait in the field, and looked, and, behold, the people were come forth out
of the city; and he rose up against them, and smote them.
[44] And Abimelech, and the company that was with him, rushed forward, and
stood in the entering of the gate of the city: and the two other companies
ran upon all the people that were in the fields, and slew them.
[45] And Abimelech fought against the city all that day; and he took the
city, and slew the people that was therein, and beat down the city, and
sowed it with salt.
[46] And when all the men of the tower of Shechem heard that, they entered
into an hold of the house of the god Berith.
[47] And it was told Abimelech, that all the men of the tower of Shechem
were gathered together.
[48] And Abimelech gat him up to mount Zalmon, he and all the people that
were with him; and Abimelech took an axe in his hand, and cut down a bough
from the trees, and took it, and laid it on his shoulder, and said unto the
people that were with him, What ye have seen me do, make haste, and do as I
have done.
[49] And all the people likewise cut down every man his bough, and followed
Abimelech, and put them to the hold, and set the hold on fire upon them; so
that all the men of the tower of Shechem died also, about a thousand men and
women.
[50] Then went Abimelech to Thebez, and encamped against Thebez, and took
it.
[51] But there was a strong tower within the city, and thither fled all the
men and women, and all they of the city, and shut it to them, and gat them
up to the top of the tower.
[52] And Abimelech came unto the tower, and fought against it, and went hard
unto the door of the tower to burn it with fire.
[53] And a certain woman cast a piece of a millstone upon Abimelech's head,
and all to brake his skull.
[54] Then he called hastily unto the young man his armourbearer, and said
unto him, Draw thy sword, and slay me, that men say not of me, A woman slew
him. And his young man thrust him through, and he died.
[55] And when the men of Israel saw that Abimelech was dead, they departed
every man unto his place.
[56] Thus God rendered the wickedness of Abimelech, which he did unto his
father, in slaying his seventy brethren:
[57] And all the evil of the men of Shechem did God render upon their heads:
and upon them came the curse of Jotham the son of Jerubbaal.
2) Our Daily Bread for 1 April 2024 titled
Meeting Together in Jesus
Exhortation and Warning
19 (Eph 2:18; Heb 4:16) Therefore, brothers, we have confidence to enter
the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus,
20 (Heb 9:3; Jn 10:9) by a new and living way that He has opened for us
through the veil, that is to say, His flesh,
21 (Heb 2:17; 1Ti 3:15) and since we have a High Priest over the house
of God,
22 (Eze 36:25; 1Co 6:11; Heb 7:19) let us draw near with a true heart
in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse them
from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
23 (1Co 1:9; Heb 3:6) Let us firmly hold the profession of our faith
without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.
24 (Titus 3:8; Heb 13:1) And let us consider how to spur one another
to love and to good works.
25 (Ac 2:42; Heb 3:13) Let us not forsake the assembling of ourselves
together, as is the manner of some, but let us exhort one another,
especially as you see the Day approaching.
[19] Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the
blood of Jesus,
[20] By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the
veil, that is to say, his flesh;
[21] And having an high priest over the house of God;
[22] Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having
our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with
pure water.
[23] Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he
is faithful that promised;)
[24] And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
[25] Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of
some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day
approaching.
When I went through an extended period of emotional and spiritual pain
and struggle due to difficult circumstances in my life, it would have been
easy for me to withdraw from church. (And sometimes I did wonder,
Why bother?) But I felt compelled to keep attending each Sunday.
Although my situation remained the same for many long years, worshiping
and gathering with other believers in services, prayer meetings, and Bible
study supplied the encouragement I needed to persevere and remain hopeful.
And often I'd not only hear an uplifting message or teaching, but I'd
receive comfort, a listening ear, or a hug I needed from others.
The author of Hebrews wrote, "[Don't give] up meeting together, as some are
in the habit of doing, but [encourage] one another" (Hebrews 10:25).
This author knew that when we face hardships and difficulties, we'll need
the reassurance of others-and that others would need ours. So this Scripture
writer reminded readers to "hold unswervingly to the hope we profess" and
to consider how to "spur one another on toward love and good deeds"
(vv. 23-24). That's a big part of what encouragement is.
That's why God leads us to keep meeting together. Someone may need your
loving encouragement, and you may be surprised by what you receive in return.
By: Alyson Kieda
Reflect & Pray
When have you felt encouraged after leaving a worship service?
Why? Who needs your support and reassurance?
Loving God, please help me not to give up
meeting together with other believers,
but to experience together Your peace and love.
3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation
Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 5 Rejoice in Grace - Day 2 The Wardrobe of Joy Isaiah 61:10
10 I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God;
for He has clothed me with the garments of salvation,
He has covered me with the robe of righteousness,
as a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments,
and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
10 I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God;
for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me
with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself
with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.
On her wedding day, the bride dresses carefully for the ceremony
that is about to take place. Never before has she spent so much
time in preparation for one relatively brief event. When she
looks in the mirror and rejoices in her happiness, she responds not
out of vanity, but for sheer joy as she anticipates the coming ceremony.
God wants his people, lie that bride to be joyful, to rejoice in the Lord,
the Bridegroom. And he gives, through his grace,
the garments of joy to his beloved ones.
He clothes us, Isaiah says, with salvation, and covers us with
the robe of righteousness. The wardrobe that God provides is not merely
a utility garment, a coverall that hides our sin from his eyes.
It is his own righteousness in Christ, given to us as a free gift, so that
we might be united with him. And God himself, Isaiah says,
is filled with joy, adorning himself like a bridegroom.
When we truly see God's immeasurable gift in accepting us as him own,
we also will "greatly rejoice" in the Lord. He, the eternal god,
Creator of the universe, desires to be united with us, as a husband
desires his wife! God does not simply accept us grudgingly,
reminding us of our unworthiness to be with him. Rather, he celebrates
with unrestrained joy his oneness in Spirit with those he calls his own.
And we, having been fully forgiven
and set free from sin, can rejoice unashamedly as well.
Application
a) Have I ever felt ashamed to draw close to God? Why?
b) What does this verse tell me about God's attitude towards me?
4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
Mark 4:19
19 But the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches,
and the desires for other things entering in choke the word,
and it proves unfruitful.
19 and the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches,
and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word,
and it becometh unfruitful.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
When you are Burdened by Doubt
James 1:2 to 8
Faith and Wisdom
2 My brothers, count it all joy when you fall into diverse temptations,
3 knowing that the trying of your faith develops patience.
4 But let patience perfect its work, that you may be perfect and complete,
lacking nothing.
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men
liberally and without criticism, and it will be given to him.
6 But let him ask in faith, without wavering. For he who wavers
is like a wave of the sea, driven and tossed with the wind.
7 Let not that man think that he will receive anything from the Lord.
8 A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways.
2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
3 knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect
and entire, wanting nothing.
5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men
liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth
is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.
8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
Remember God's promises when You pray
The Lord's prayer
Matthew 6:9-13
9 "Therefore pray in this manner:
Our Father who is in heaven,
hallowed be Your name.
10 (Mt 3:2; 4:17) Your kingdom come;
Your will be done
on earth, as it is in heaven.
11 (Pr 30:8; Isa 33:16) Give us this day our daily bread.
12 (Ex 34:7; Ps 32:1) And forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors.
13 (1Co 10:13; Jn 17:15) And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen."
9 After this manner therefore pray ye:
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
6) This come from Praying for Muslims in Canada 2015 (Is there a 2022 edition?)
Manitoba
Quick facts on Muslims in Manitoba
Manitoba 2015 population 1 282 000
est Muslim Population 21 349
CNMM Networks: Winnipeg
The Muslim population of Manitoba, understandably centred in Winnipeg, is very
diverse and represents some 48 different cultural and ethinic backgrounds.
Conservative estimates put their number at 21000 , with some suggesting
it might be twice that size.
Some outreach among Muslims has started, yet in comparison to the size
of this community, there is the need and opportunity for far more engagement.
Continued influx of new immigrants and refugees continues to see the growth
of this Muslim centre in Manitoba.
We rejoice in the Arabic fellowship meeting there and the energetic workers
among Muslims in Winnipeg.
Let us intercede in unity for:
- new Christian workers among Manitoba's growing Muslim population
- new church ministries focused on prayer, equipping and reaching Muslim
communities around them, as well as training new workers
- the Arabic fellowship and their ministries of discipiling new Muslim
background believers and for effectiveness in outreach
- for the recent Somali woman who found faith in Jesus and stood her ground
in the face of opposition to her new faith.
- for current workers among Muslims to be blessed, refreshed and encouraged
with great support
Adding further
Pray for Amman, Jordan
Ephesian 2:8-9
8 (Eph 2:5; Mk 16:16) For by grace you have been saved through faith,
and this is not of yourselves. It is the gift of God,
9 (2Ti 1:9; Ro 3:20) not of works, so that no one should boast.
[8] For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it
is the gift of God:
[9] Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Church bells ring while the muezzin calls people to pray over the mosque's
loudspeaker. A 22-year-old with his stylishly torn jeans lounges at a cafe
on Rainbow Street, smoking an e-cigarette. A shepherd guides 25 sheep down
the avenue, dodging cars as they pass by. A tiny, yellow taxi, races
alongside a Land Cruiser as white mansions contrast with grey apartment
buildings. Filipino maids pass by Sudanese refugees. University students
browse in bookstores while toddlers run from the nursery school to the arms
of waiting fathers.
Like Nasser the landlord, or Yahya the Egyptian building attendant, many make
enough money to provide for their families and to educate their children.
They struggle with rising costs of food but are thankful for a home to sleep
in. However, their neighbors may include Syrian or Afghan refugees, who are
in Amman temporarily waiting to leave for a better life.
Over 97% of Jordanians are Muslim. Some are strong in their faith and pray
at the mosque 5 times a day. Others are religious in name only. Meanwhile,
some are atheists. Yet very few of them have heard about the story of Jesus.
Thank God that there are many Christians in Amman who can tell others about
the way of salvation.
How to Pray
Pray for the people of Amman, especially those who are searching
for answers, to meet believers and hear the Good News about Jesus.
Pray that those who are hurting will hear God’s voice speaking through
His Word which is readily available in Amman.
Pray for the use of media tools, and that when Jordanians see videos
or read articles about the truth, they might respond in faith.
My paternal side is of Muslim heritage and will offer this section to further
call for Muslim converts to Christian and any other converts to Christianity
(Hindus, Jews, aboriginals Canadian, ...) .
7) Prayers for the nation (Canada) coming from Prayer map of Canada
http://www.ehc.ca
1st Day of the month
1) Pray for an outpouring of God's Holy Spirit on Canada
(
Joel 2:28 And it will be that, afterwards,
I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh;
then your sons and your daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream
dreams, and your young men will see visions.
28 And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon
all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men
shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:
Acts 2:17 "In the last days it shall be," says God, "
that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall
prophesy, your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream
dreams.
17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God,
I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh:
And your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
And your young men shall see visions,
And your old men shall dream dreams:
)
2) Pray that the heart of our Prime Minister
would be directed to do that which pleases God
(Prov 21:1 The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord,
as the rivers of water; He turns it to any place He will.
1 The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD,
As the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.
)
Conclusion:
Pray to the Lord and pray to the Lord for leadership and wisdom.
Pray to the Lord: "Loving God, please help me not to give up
meeting together with other believers,
but to experience together Your peace and love."
Pray to the Lord and pray to know that He frgives all your sins.
Pray to the Lord and pray not to be deceived by earthly riches.
Pray to the Lord and pray to seek His Wisdom.
Agree in prayer with us for:
- new Christian workers among Manitoba's growing Muslim population
- new church ministries focused on prayer, equipping and reaching Muslim
communities around them, as well as training new workers
- the Arabic fellowship and their ministries of discipling new Muslim
background believers and for effectiveness in outreach
- for the recent Somali woman who found faith in Jesus and stood her ground
in the face of opposition to her new faith.
- for current workers among Muslims to be blessed, refreshed and encouraged
with great support
Pray for the people of Amman, especially those who are searching
for answers, to meet believers and hear the Good News about Jesus.
Pray that those who are hurting will hear God’s voice speaking through
His Word which is readily available in Amman.
Pray for the use of media tools, and that when Jordanians see videos
or read articles about the truth, they might respond in faith.
Pray for an outpouring of God's Holy Spirit on Canada
Pray that the heart of our Prime Minister
would be directed to do that which pleases God
Pray to the Lord that to know the Holy Spirit.
and Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness
Remember eternity starts now -
Pray for the direction you take to the Ever lasting loving God